Pontoon



May 13, 1947. l R. SHEP l l 2,420,384

PONTOON Filed NOV. l, 1945 ,2 fo /3 n 7 9 7 :Dnnnnnnnlncn r: /5 f: i: 'l f@ F 2 3 Daununnnunuanuurlnann nano ascensin- 1m Patented May 13, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 12 Claims.

l My invention relates to a pontoon, and more particularly to a pont-oon adapted to displace water and provide buoyancy for ships.

An object of my invention is to provide buoyant means by which sunken Vessels may be raised,`

damaged vessels may be kept afloat and listing ships may be righted.

Another object of the invention is to provide collapsible pontoon means that may be collapsed and .placed under Water in position prior to their being rendered buoyant.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for reducing the buoyancy of the pontoon as the sunken ,ship rises toward the surface ol the Water.

My invention also has for its objects to provide such means that are positive in operation, convenient in use, easily installed in a working position and easily disconnected therefrom, economical of manufacture, relatively simple, and of general superiority and seiviceability.

The invention also comprises novel details of construction and novel combinations and arrangements of parts, which will more fully appear in the course of the following description.

However, the drawings merely show and the fol lowing description merely describes one embodiment of the present invention, which is given 'by way of illustration or example only.

In the drawings, like reference characters designate similar parts in `the several views Fie. l is an elevation, partly in section, sho'.v ing an embodiment of my foregoing invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, broken section, taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

ifig` 8 is an enlarged, horizontal, fragmentary section taken on the line 3`3 of Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary section taken on the line l-i of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a reduced perspective View of said ernbodiment.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, the reference number 6 indicates a top plate reenorced around its edges b-y angle irons i. A plu raity of adjustable clamps 8 are mounted on the top plate Each clamp comprises a stationary jaw 9 and a relatively movable jaw iii that is controlled by an adjusting screw i2. The jaws s and lil have complementary recesses to engage lianges of I-beams, such as shown at I3T The I-beanis I3 are shown in the drawings as supporting a deck plate it.

Normally vertical, corner angie irons i5 are arranged to depend from the top plate 5 at the corners thereof. Space'd below the top plate t,

by means of the corner angles I5, isl an obtuseangular band I6. The upper edge' Il of the' band I6 is fastened to the lower ends of a `series of wire rope strands I8 that depend from the top plate 6. The upper ends of the wire rope strands Isare fastened tothe top angle irons 1. The rigid corner pieces I5 maintain the strands I8 taut.

A tapering, flexible webA of wire rope `strands IEI` hasV the upper ends oi' such strands fastened to` the lower edge of the angularly bent band I6. The lower ends of 'such strands I9 are respectively engaged by S-hooks 2), as best shown in Fig. 4. These S-hooks in turn hook into a'bottom ring 2l,

The upper and lower ends of the wire rope strands I8 and the upper ends of the wire rope strands I9 are' fastened to the angle irons 'l and I6 by suitable means. An effective means is shown in Fig. 3, to wit, U-bolts 22 that are fast ened in place by nuts 23. The wire rope strands I3 and I9 are clamped in the bend of the U, as

`shown in Fig. 3, as the nuts are screwed home;

Arranged within the aforedescribed iraniework is a light, flexible, substantially waterproof and airproof, collapsible container 2li, which,

when expanded, is approximately the si'z'e and' shape of the' interior of the frameawork, to Wit, rectangular at the top and tapering in the lower portion down toV a breather opening -25 at the bot= tom thereof. This container or bag 24 may be of any suitable material that will have the fore going properties. Suggested therefor is a canvas or No. 1 cotton duck bag treated with suitable flexible' plastic (known to those skilled in this art as plastic dope), to render it substantially wa= terproof and airproof. The canvas is preferably liberally covered with said material, and the seo tions thereof may be sewn together in a tonguen and-groove construction, whichis likewise known to those skilled in the art.

An air line 2E connects with the interior of the bag, such as through a side thereof (see Fig. 2) The air line connects with suitable pump `aircom`` presser or pressure tank means (not shown) atv the surface of the water, for supplying air pressure within the bag when desired. A valve 21 is also conveniently provided to' release some of the pressure as the pontoon nears the surface, so as to raise the ship gradually and steadily;

In the use of my device, while' the bag Mis in a collapsed position, the clamps 8 are arranged to grip a part of a ship, such as I-lbeams therein'. When as many pontoons as desired have been placed in position with their rings 2l and open 3 ings 25 at the under sides thereof, they are ready to have the air pressure applied in the bags.

As the air is introduced into the bags, a pocket of air is entrapped inside at the top of each bag. As more air is introduced into the bag, the buoyancy of the pontoon is correspondingly increased, and as more air is introduced, more water is displaced and driven out from the bag through the opening 25.

Then, as the ship rises, the entrapped air in each bag may be progressively released by means of the valve 21. As the air pressure is decreased in the bag 24, more water flows up into the bag through the opening 25. Thus, it can be seen that the opening 25 acts as a breather for the bag, to equalize the pressure of the water inside and outside the bag.

Lift of the bag, when it contains air pressure, is exerted upon the top plate 6. Since the arrangements of the wire rope strands I8 and I9 substantially conform to the shape of the bag 24, these strands maintain the bag in its therewith conforming position and maintains the breather opening 25 underneath the body of the bag.

There are many uses of the present invention and many adaptations can be made of the present pontoon. In use, of course, a larger number of these pontoons may be placed at the lower side of a listing vessel. Moreover, the present pontoons may be applied to a ship before it enters dangerous waters, in order that the pontoons may be used when needed, to maintain the ship afloat despite damage. Moreover, these units may be used exteriorly of a ship by connecting pairs together, i. e., running the connecting means under the keel of the ship and then fastening the ends of the connecting means to respective pontoons at either side of the ship. These can be arranged where the greatest lift is desired, such as forward,

midship or at the after end. These suggestions pertain to the use of the invention and are believed clear to those skilled in the art without further illustration.

While I have illustrated and described what I now regard as the preferred embodiment of my invention, the construction is, of course, subject to modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. I, therefore, do not wish to restrict myself to the particular form of construction illustrated and described, but desire to avail myself of all modifications that may fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In la pontoon, a flexible bag having substantially airproof and waterproof walls and having a breather opening in the lower portion thereof, wire rope strands around the upper part of the bag confining same, frames respectively connecting with the strands at spaced points, rigid spacing means maintaining the frames in spaced relation and maintaining the strands substantially taut, flexible wire rope strands connected with one of the frames and yieldingly enclosing the lower portion of the bag adjacent the breather opening, and means to regulate the inflow and outflow of air pressure into and from the top of the bag.

2. In a pontoon, a flexible bag having substantially airproof and waterproof walls and having a breather opening in the lower portion thereof, wire rope strands around the upper portion of the bag confining same, spaced frames, means clamping the strands to the frames, means to hold the frames spaced and the strands taut,

a flexible web of wire rope strands enveloping the lower part of said bag and connected at one end to one of said frames and at the other end converging to a means for defining said breather opening and means to regulate the inflow and outflow of air pressure into and from within the bag at a point above said breather opening.

3. In a pontoon, a cage member composed of substantially rectangular frames rigidly held in spaced relation, one of said frames having a depending, flexible web comprised of convergent strands secured to a means defining an enclosure in the bottom thereof, a collapsible bag substantially conforming to the interior shape of the cage and its depending web, the bag having a flexible, substantially airproof and waterproof body and having a breather opening in the lower portion thereof coinciding with the enclosure in said web, and means connected to regulate the inflow and outflow of air pressure into and from within the bag at a point above said breather opening.

4. In a device of the character disclosed, `a pair of substantially rectangular frames, means to hold said frames rigidly spaced, a plate secured to the upper of said frames,a series of wire strands between and connecting said frames, a series of wire strands connected at one end to and depending from the lower of said frames, said strands converging below and at a point removed from said lower frame, an eye to which the other ends of said strands are connected, said converging strands forming a flexible envelope, and fluid retaining container within said frames, said container having a tapering portion fitting within said convergent envelope and provided in the end thereof with an opening which registers with said eye. A

5. In a device of the character disclosed, a substantially rectangular enclosure of rigidly related members, comprising a top frame and a bottom frame, and interconnecting members for uniting said frames into a rigid structure, strands secured to and tautened between said top and bottom frames, a plate conveying said top frame, a series of strands secured to and depending from said lower frame, vsaid strands converging at their ends, an eye to which said ends are secured, and a flexible fluid pressure container within said enclosure and having a tapering bottom portion within said converging strands and provided with .t breather opening which registers with said opening defined by said eye, and means to regulate the fluid pressure within said container.

6. In a device of the character disclosed, an envelope comprised of a rigid upper section and a flexible converging lower section provided with an eye in the bottom thereof, and a fluid pressure container fitted within said envelope, said container having an opening in the bottom thereof registering with, and the converging ends of said container fastened to, said eye.

7. In a pontoon, a flexible, substantially airproof and waterproof bag having upper and lower portions, the lower portion converging to a breather opening that is open at all times to admit water into the bag, substantially rigid means on the upper portion of the bag, within which upper portion air pressure is initially entrapped, spaced frames, means between the frames confining the upper portion of the bag flexible grid means connected to one of said frames and enclosing the lower, converging portion, and means to regulate the inflow and outflow of air pressure into and from within the bag at a point substantially above said breather opening.

8. In a pontoon, a flexible, substantially airprooi and waterproof bag, substantially rigid means on the bag, the bag having a breather opening in its lower portion, anchoring means arranged to xedly connect with a fixed part of the work to be buoyed up, the anchoring means having a substantially rigid connection with said rigid means, and means to regulate the inflow and outflow of air pressure into and from within the bag at a point substantially above said breather opening.

9. In a pontoon to buoy up work, a iiexible, substantially airproof and waterproof bag, substantially rigid means on the bag, the bag having a breather opening in its lower portion, clamping means disposed to xedly clamp upon a fixed part of the work, the clamping means having a substantially rigid connection with said rigid means, and means to regulate the inflow and outow of air pressure into and from within the bag at a point substantially above said breather opening.

10. In a pontoon to buoy up work, a flexible, substantially airproof and waterproof bag having upper and lower portions, the lower portion having a breather opening that is unobstructed at all times, substantially rigid means on the upper portion of the bag, means to connect the rigid means with the work, and means connected with the bag to regulate the inflow and outflow of pressure into and from the bag at a point between the rigid means and the breather opening.

11. In a pontoon to buoy up work, a exible, substantially airproof and waterproof bag having upper and lower portions, the lower portion converging to a breather opening, relatively rigid means on the upper portion of the bag, the rigid means extending to the greatest cross-sectional area of the bag, means to connect the rigid means with the work, and means connected with the bag to regulate the inow and outflow of pressure into and from the bag at a point between the rigid means and the breather opening.

i2. In a pontoon, a bag having an opening in the bottom thereof to admit water, spaced frames, a plate on the top of the bag and connected to one of said frames, rigid means between the frames confining the upper portion of the bag, exible means confining the lower portion of the bag, said iiexible means being connected to the other of said frames, and means to supply and remove iiuid pressure from the top of the bag.

LEROY R. SHEP.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,253,526 Portella Jan. 15, 1913 1,773,029 Cobham Aug. 12, 1930 1,206,747 Bergeron Nov. 28, 1916 1,531,433 Carr Mar. 31, 1925 234,667 Powers Sept. 11, 1883 1,384,094 Saliger 1 July 12, 1921 1,844,993 lI'omao Feb. 16, 1932 497,249 Niehoff May 9, 1893 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 132,934 Great Britain Oct. 2, 1919 446,648 Great Britain Feb. 1, 1935 144,621 Great Britain Oct. 21, 1920 OTHER REFERENCES War Department Technical Manual, TM5-275, title, Pneumatic Ponton Bridge, M3, April 19, 1943. 

